>> IF WE WOULD LOSE OUR LIQUOR STORE BECAUSE OF SUNDAY SALES COMPETITION, WE WOULD CLOSE. REPORTER: PRETTY STRONG WORDS FROM NEIL SMITH OWNER OF THE CRACKPOT RESTAURANT AND LIQUOR STORE IN TOWSON. HE SAYS HE OPENED THE STORE BACK IN 1995 HE OBTAINED A CLASS-B LICENSE TO SELL ON SUNDAYS TO COMPETE WITH CHAIN RESTAURANTS THAT HAD BEEN TAKING AWAY CUSTOMERS. >> THIS GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE BY HAVING A LIQUOR STORE WITH SALES. CAP IS OPEN. -- IT KEPT AS OPEN. REPORTER: RECENTLY IN ANNAPOLIS SENATE BILL 386 PASSED ALLOWING SUNDAY ALCOHOL SALES IN BALTIMORE COUNTY BY LICENSE HOLDERS. IT STILL HAS TO PASS THE HOUSE WHERE A SIMILAR BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED. WHILE THE BILL IS A THREAT TO SMITH’S BUSINESS ITS A MUCH DIFFERENT STORY AT THE NEARBY CORPORATELY OWNED TOTAL WINE. >> THE CONVENIENCE FACTOR OF WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM OUR CUSTOMERS TO COME IN ON SUNDAY WILL MAKE A HUGE IMPACT TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND JUST THE CONVENIENCE FACTOR OF SHOPPING. REPORTER: TOTAL WINE HAS A CLASS-A LICENSE WHICH ENTITLES IT TO MORE SPACE SO IT CAN BUY MORE PRODUCT. IT HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR A BILL LIKE THIS FOR A WHILE AND SAYS IT GIVES CUSTOMERS A CHOICE TO SHOP AT THEIR FAVORITE STORE ON A SUNDAY. >> IS THEIR ABILITY TO SHOP WITH A WANTS TO SHOP. IT IS UP TO THE CUSTOMER, I THINK THIS BILL HOPEFULLY GIVES THE POWER BACK TO THE CUSTOMERS THEMSELV

A bill has made its way through the state Senate that would expand the number of businesses that can sell alcohol on Sundays in Baltimore County.Supporters of the bill said it's a win, but some businesses said it will hurt their bottom line.Restaurants like the Crackpot restaurant and liquor store in Towson are the businesses that began selling alcohol on Sundays to stay in business in the first place."If we would lose our liquor store because of Sunday sales competition, we would close," said Neil Smith, owner of the Crackpot.Smith said he opened the store in 1995 and he obtained a class B license to sell on Sundays to compete with chain restaurants that had been taking away customers."This gave us the opportunity to compete by having a liquor store with sales and it kept us all open," Smith said.Senate Bill 386 passed this week, allowing Sunday alcohol sales in Baltimore County by license holders. It still has to pass the House, where a similar bill has been introduced.While the bill is a threat to Smith's business, it's a much different story at the nearby corporately owned Total Wine."I think the convenience factor, from what we're hearing from our customers, to be able to come in on Sunday, one of their days off, I think will make a huge impact to customer satisfaction and the convenience factor of shopping," said Tim Judy, a manager at Total Wine.Total Wine has a class A license, which entitles it to more space, so it can buy more product. Total Wine has been pushing for a bill like this for a while and said it gives customers a choice to shop at their favorite store on a Sunday."What's their ability to shop where they want to shop on a Sunday? What if they want to come here instead? I think that's up to the customer, and I think this bill hopefully gives the power back to the customers," Judy said.The Senate bill, as written, would take effect July 1.

TOWSON, Md. —

A bill has made its way through the state Senate that would expand the number of businesses that can sell alcohol on Sundays in Baltimore County.

Supporters of the bill said it's a win, but some businesses said it will hurt their bottom line.

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Restaurants like the Crackpot restaurant and liquor store in Towson are the businesses that began selling alcohol on Sundays to stay in business in the first place.

"If we would lose our liquor store because of Sunday sales competition, we would close," said Neil Smith, owner of the Crackpot.

Smith said he opened the store in 1995 and he obtained a class B license to sell on Sundays to compete with chain restaurants that had been taking away customers.

"This gave us the opportunity to compete by having a liquor store with sales and it kept us all open," Smith said.

Senate Bill 386 passed this week, allowing Sunday alcohol sales in Baltimore County by license holders. It still has to pass the House, where a similar bill has been introduced.

While the bill is a threat to Smith's business, it's a much different story at the nearby corporately owned Total Wine.

"I think the convenience factor, from what we're hearing from our customers, to be able to come in on Sunday, one of their days off, I think will make a huge impact to customer satisfaction and the convenience factor of shopping," said Tim Judy, a manager at Total Wine.

Total Wine has a class A license, which entitles it to more space, so it can buy more product. Total Wine has been pushing for a bill like this for a while and said it gives customers a choice to shop at their favorite store on a Sunday.

"What's their ability to shop where they want to shop on a Sunday? What if they want to come here instead? I think that's up to the customer, and I think this bill hopefully gives the power back to the customers," Judy said.